Homepage - Rachael Horan Counselling & Supervision

“We know from experience and the growing body of supportive literature that the therapeutic relationship a counsellor forms with each client can be the most powerful tool for helping clients change.”

Cochran & Cochran

“The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can see change.”

Carl Rogers

“We know from experience and the growing body of supportive literature that the therapeutic relationship a counsellor forms with each client can be the most powerful tool for helping clients change.”

Cochran & Cochran

“The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can see change.”

Carl Rogers

What is counselling?

Counselling is a type of therapy offered by a counsellor to help you overcome problems, change unhelpful behaviours and become happier. This involves being listened to in a supportive atmosphere so that you are more open to exploring feelings that you may not otherwise feel able to.

How can counselling benefit me?

Counselling provides you with the time and space to work through your difficulties in a safe environment.

It can help you to better understand and process past traumas, address relationship concerns and navigate challenging life situations.

By engaging in and building a relationship with a trained professional such as a counsellor, you can gain a different perspective, share your thoughts with a person who will not judge and who will treat you with the utmost respect.

If you are looking for support with social interactions, counselling can help to increase your communication and interpersonal skills, which leads to greater self-acceptance and self-esteem.

A counsellor can help you to understand how your past experiences are currently affecting you. You are then supported to develop coping strategies and make changes to overcome self-destructive behaviours. This means you can more confidently face the world knowing you are better able to handle and process uncertain situations in the future and learn from them.

Ultimately, counselling can put you on a path of self-discovery, facilitating behaviour changes and promoting decision-making. This leads to a more enriching relationship with yourself and a happier and more fulfilling life where you feel able to achieve your goals.

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What does Rachael Horan Counselling & Supervision offer?

Rachael Horan Counselling & Supervision provides adults and children with support to work through emotional issues, either face-to-face in Wellington, Somerset, or online via Zoom or FaceTime.

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Testimonials

Rachael started seeing my 8 year old son last year and it has honestly made such a difference to his understanding of his emotions and to his behaviour at home. She managed to connect with him on a level that we couldn’t and I am forever grateful.

S.K.

I had a combination of CBT and counselling for past trauma and Rachael connected dots for me that I hadn’t pieced together myself. It opened up a whole other area for me to explore and I can now put to rest a lot of stuff from the past that I was carrying with me.

Abi S.

Counselling really helped me to overcome some of my anxiety and understand why I was feeling a certain way. I received lots of practical ideas to move forward with and I got a lot out of it. Rachael put me at ease throughout the process.

Katie

I now understand how I can look after myself and prioritise my own needs. This in itself is life changing.

C.B.

Rachael had the ability to get my daughter to open up and share her worries with me and for that I am hugely grateful.

Claire T.

When I first started seeing Rachael I was scared to talk about my past and felt ashamed. Rachael made me feel safe and not judged. Once I got going I couldn’t stop! It’s a huge weight lifted.

Oliver B.

I enquired with Rachael at first because of some relationship problems and after some time talking about this I realised it was me who had to make some changes. It was something I wouldn’t have otherwise understood and my relationships have now really improved.

Mark S.

Useful resources

The impact of the pandemic on children and young people’s mental health

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust mental health crisis page

The Samaritans 116 123

Mindline Somerset 01823 276892 or 08001381692

Shout 85258 (text support service)

BACP Homepage

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Rachael Horan Counselling & Supervision MBACP

Hello, I am an Integrative Counsellor and Clinical Supervisor. I see adults, children, young people and couples. I am also a primary school counsellor and I take referrals from Community Counselling CIC. I work both in person and online.

Rachael Horan Counselling & Supervision MBACP

4 days ago

Birth Trauma Awareness Week This week is Birth Trauma Awareness Week, led by the Birth Trauma Association, a UK charity dedicated to supporting parents affected by traumatic birth experiences, raising awareness, and campaigning for improvements in maternity care.Giving birth is often described as one of life’s most joyful moments, but for many parents, it can also be frightening, overwhelming, or traumatic.Birth trauma isn’t defined solely by what happened medically—it’s about how the experience felt. Feeling unheard, losing control, fearing for your or your baby’s safety, or experiencing unexpected complications can leave lasting emotional scars.The effects of birth trauma can include:💜 Anxiety or panic💜 Flashbacks or intrusive memories💜 Low mood or depression💜 Difficulty bonding with your baby💜 Feelings of guilt, shame, or failure💜 Avoiding conversations or reminders of the birthThese feelings may appear immediately after birth or months—even years—later. Whatever your experience, your feelings are valid, and you don’t have to carry them alone.During Birth Trauma Awareness Week, let’s help to increase understanding and recognise that emotional recovery is just as important as physical healing.If your birth experience continues to affect you, talking it through in a safe, compassionate and non-judgemental space can help you process what happened and begin to heal.You can find out more about the work of the Birth Trauma Association and the support they provide by visiting their website.#BirthTraumaAwarenessWeek #BirthTrauma #BirthTraumaAssociation #MaternalMentalHealth perinatalmentalhealth ... See MoreSee Less

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Rachael Horan Counselling & Supervision MBACP

4 weeks ago

🧠 The Nervous System and the Gut: Understanding the ConnectionMany people are surprised to learn that the gut and the brain are in constant communication through a network known as the gut-brain axis.The autonomic nervous system, which regulates many of the body’s automatic functions, has two key branches:🔹 The sympathetic nervous system (fight, flight, or freeze)🔹 The parasympathetic nervous system (rest, digest, and repair)When we perceive a threat—whether physical or psychological—the sympathetic nervous system becomes activated. This is a normal and adaptive response designed to help us survive. During this state, the body prioritises functions needed for protection, such as increased heart rate, muscle tension, and heightened alertness.As a result, digestive processes may slow down or become disrupted. Blood flow is redirected away from the digestive system, digestive enzymes may be reduced, and gut motility can change. Over time, chronic activation of the stress response can contribute to symptoms such as:• Bloating• Constipation or diarrhoea• Nausea• Acid reflux• Increased gut sensitivityThe vagus nerve plays a particularly important role in this connection. As the main communication pathway between the brain and the gut, it helps regulate digestion, inflammation, and emotional responses. When the nervous system is regulated and the vagus nerve is functioning effectively, the body is better able to enter a state of rest, digestion, and restoration.This is why mental health and physical health cannot be separated. Emotional stress, unresolved trauma, chronic anxiety, and prolonged periods of overwhelm can all influence how the digestive system functions.Understanding the nervous system-gut connection reminds us that symptoms are not “all in the mind.” Rather, they reflect the complex and interconnected relationship between the brain, body, and environment.#braingutaxis #braingutconnection #psychoeducation #vagusnerve #thenervoussystem ... See MoreSee Less

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Rachael Horan Counselling & Supervision MBACP

2 months ago

What is Trauma-Informed Therapy?Many people hear the word trauma and think only of major life events. But trauma can also result from experiences that leave us feeling unsafe, unseen, overwhelmed, or disconnected from ourselves and others.Trauma-informed therapy is an approach that recognises the impact these experiences can have on our thoughts, emotions, relationships, behaviours, and even our physical health. Rather than asking, “What’s wrong with you?”, trauma-informed therapy asks, “What happened to you?”As a trauma-informed therapist, I work with an understanding that many coping strategies, emotional responses, and patterns of behaviour have developed for a reason. Together, we explore these patterns with curiosity and compassion rather than judgement.My approach focuses on creating a safe, trusting therapeutic relationship where you can work at a pace that feels right for you. Therapy is not about forcing difficult memories or reliving painful experiences. Instead, it’s about helping you develop greater understanding, resilience, emotional regulation, and connection with yourself.I work with 6 key principles, shown in the attached diagram. These that act as a framework and guide how I work with clients so that you can feel safe and heard. ✨ #traumainformed #counsellingandpsychotherapy #psychoeducation #counsellingrelationships ... See MoreSee Less

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Rachael Horan Counselling & Supervision MBACP

2 months ago

SATs season can feel like a big moment for children in Year 6 — and for parents too. But it’s important to remember that SATs are only a snapshot of a child’s learning journey and not a measure of their worth, personality, creativity, or future success.For many children, the pressure around tests can lead to stress, worry, and self-doubt. Some may struggle with sleep, become emotional, lose confidence, or feel overwhelmed by the fear of “getting it wrong.” As adults, we play a huge role in helping children feel safe, supported, and reassured during this time.The most valuable message we can give children is simple: doing your best is enough.Parents can help by creating a balanced routine at home — ensuring children get enough sleep, healthy meals, downtime and opportunities to relax and play. Listening without adding pressure, praising effort rather than outcomes, and keeping conversations positive can make a huge difference to a child’s wellbeing.It’s also okay to remind children that feeling nervous is normal. Stress becomes easier to manage when children know they are not facing it alone.To every Year 6 child taking SATs: you are already achieving something important by showing up, trying hard, and believing in yourself. Be proud of your progress, your resilience, and everything you have learned along the way.You are so much more than a test result. 🌟 #sats #primaryschool #year6 #mentalhealthinchildren #mentalhealthawareness ... See MoreSee Less

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Rachael Horan Counselling & Supervision MBACP

2 months ago

A little ahead of time but this year’s theme gives me so much excitement. With action, people’s lives can change enormously 💛Mental Health Awareness Week, 11th-17th May 2026Mental Health Awareness Week this year reminds us that awareness alone is not always enough. This year’s theme, “Action,” encourages us to move beyond simply recognising mental health struggles and instead take meaningful steps toward supporting ourselves and others.Action does not have to be dramatic or life-changing overnight. Sometimes it is the smallest choices that make the biggest difference. Reaching out to a friend. Booking that first counselling session. Taking a break when your body is asking for rest. Setting a boundary without guilt. Choosing honesty over “I’m fine.” Allowing yourself to ask for help.For many people, mental health challenges are experienced quietly. Behind busy schedules, smiles, productivity, and carrying on as normal, there can be anxiety, overwhelm, grief, loneliness, burnout, or emotional exhaustion. Action begins when we stop dismissing our own needs and start responding to them with compassion.This week is also a reminder that support matters. Human connection matters. Feeling heard, understood, and accepted can be incredibly powerful. None of us are meant to navigate life entirely alone.If you have been waiting for a sign to prioritise your mental wellbeing, perhaps this is it. One small step is still a step forward.This Mental Health Awareness Week, let’s move from awareness into action — through kindness, conversation, support, and intentional care for ourselves and each other.#MentalHealthAwarenessWeek #MentalHealth #Counselling #SelfCare #mentalhealthmatters ... See MoreSee Less

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Contact Me

Ask a question or enquire about booking an appointment below.

Enquiry Form

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07710 597839

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The Main Hall Offices, Wellington Baptist Church, 28 South Street, Wellington, TA21 8NS

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What is counselling?

How can counselling benefit me?

What does Rachael Horan Counselling & Supervision offer?

Testimonials

Useful resources

Rachael Horan Counselling & Supervision MBACP

Contact Me

07710 597839

The Main Hall Offices, Wellington Baptist Church, 28 South Street, Wellington, TA21 8NS

info@rachaelhorancounselling.co.uk